LOS ANGELES (Sunday, April 2, 2023) – In their 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Home Opener at Dignity Health Sports Park’s Track & Field Stadium, LA Galaxy II fell 1-0 to North Texas SC on Sunday night.
2023 Debuts
A number of players made their 2023 debut with LA Galaxy II: Marcus Ferkranus, who started and played 90 minutes, Brandon Tellez, who logged 27 minutes as a second-half substitute and Axel Picazo, who played 20 minutes off the bench against North Texas. Additionally, LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Brendan Bell made his professional debut, playing three minutes as a second-half substitute. **
LA Galaxy Academy**
Seven players with ties to the LA Galaxy Academy started in the 2023 Home Opener: Carson Klein, Ferkranus, Adam Saldaña, Adrián González, Diego López, Alex Alcalá and Jonathan Pérez. Juan Calderón and Bell, both current LA Galaxy Academy players, appeared off the bench for Los Dos. Tellez, the 2022 LA Galaxy Academy Player of the Year, made his 2023 season debut. Notably, the average age of the LA Galaxy II starting lineup in the match against North Texas SC was 19.7 years of age.
Goal-Scoring Plays
NTX – Own Goal (Ascel Essengue), 44th minute: Herbert Endeley’s low cross from the right flank was knocked in the goal by LA Galaxy II defender Ascel Essengue.
Postgame Notes
- LA Galaxy II had an expected goals total of 1.17 compared to North Texas SC’s 0.91.
- Seven players with ties to the LA Galaxy Academy started in the 2023 Home Opener: Carson Klein, Marcus Ferkranus, Adam Saldaña, Adrián González, Diego López, Alex Alcalá and Jonathan Pérez.
- The average age of the LA Galaxy II starting lineup in the match against North Texas SC was 19.7 years of age.
- LA Galaxy defender Marcus Ferkranus and midfielders Adam Saldaña and Jonathan Pérez were sent on loan to LAGalaxy II for the match against North Texas SC.
- Jonathan Pérez finished the match with a team-high three chances created
- Marcus Ferkranus, who started and played 90 minutes, Brandon Tellez, who logged 27 minutes as a second-half substitute and Axel Picazo, who played 20 minutes off the bench against North Texas, each made their 2023 debut with LA Galaxy II.
- LA Galaxy Academy midfielder Brendan Bell made his professional debut, playing three minutes off the bench.
- Adam Saldaña won four tackles, eight possessions and tied for a team-high 73 completed passes (89% pass accuracy).
- Elijah Amadin recorded a team-high three dribbles completed, six interceptions and six clearances.
- Simon Jillson recorded a game-high eight saves in the match against North Texas.
Next Game
Next up, LA Galaxy II play host to Minnesota United FC 2 at Dignity Health Sports Park’s Track & Field Stadium on Sunday, April 9. The April 9 match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on MLSNEXTPro.com. LA Galaxy II home matches at Dignity Health Sports Park’s Track & Field Stadium are open to the public. Tickets are not required, but standard event policies will be in effect.*
2023 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
LA Galaxy II (0-2-0, 0pts) vs. North Texas SC (2-0-0, 6pts) *
Sunday, April 2, 2023 – Dignity Health Sports Park’s Track & Field Stadium (Los Angeles)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
LA Galaxy II 0 0 0
North Texas SC 1 0 1
Scoring Summary:
NTX: Own Goal (Essengue), 44
Misconduct Summary:
NTX: Torre (caution), 3
NTX: Korca (caution), 24
LA: Saldaña (caution), 33
LA: Essengue (caution), 45
NTX: Urzua (caution), 83
Lineups:
LA: GK Simon Jillson; D Carson Klein, D Marcus Ferkranus, D Ascel Essengue, D Elijah Amadin (Brendan Bell, 87), M Adam Saldaña ©, M Adrián González (Juan Calderón, 70), M Diego López (Brandon Téllez, 63), M Alex Alcalá (Axel Picazo, 70), M Jonathan Pérez F Aaron Bibout
Substitutes Not Used: GK Nolan Anderson; D Owen Bizzaro, D Javier Zapien, , M Nicholas Dunbar, M Luis Medina
TOTAL SHOTS: 13 (Jonathan Pérez, Aaron Bibout, 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 1 (Jonathan Pérez, 1); FOULS: 19 (Aaron Bibout); OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 2; SAVES: 8
NTX: GK Antonio Carrera; D Tyshawn Rose, D Henri Santos, D Amet Korca, D Herbert Endeley; M Alejandro Urzua (Alejandro Araneda, 90), M Carl Sainte, M Andre Luque © (Theo Henrique, 73), M Hope Avayevu, F Pablo Torre (Tomas Pondeca, 45), F Jose Mulato (Yeicar Perlaza, 73)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Justin Stewart; D Manuel Caicedo
TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 13; OFFSIDES: 2; CORNER KICKS: 9; SAVES: 1
Referee: Alexis Da Silva
Assistant Referees: Fernando Fierro, Eric Wood
Fourth Official: Brandon Stevis
Weather: Clear, 64 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
